The Yankees can get to a World Series with Anthony Volpe as their shortstop. There is proof of concept. They already have done it. And, not only that, Volpe played at a high level in the 2024 postseason.
Still, I don’t think Volpe is ever going to be all he can be in his current position — as a shortstop and as a New York Yankee. The Jersey kid who grew up a fan of the team and idolized Derek Jeter just wants this to work so badly, but I believe the hunger works against him.
In trying to compensate for an arm too short for shortstop, Volpe tends to play too fast at the position and makes mistakes because of his overzealousness.
Imagine Volpe as, say, the Royals second baseman next to Bobby Witt Jr. or the Tigers second baseman next to Kevin McGonigle. The pressure of New York expectations — his and that of the fan base — would be off. He would be playing a position more suited for his skills. That would be his best chance to thrive in the majors, as much as he does not want that outcome and as much as the Yankees have tried to resist it for a first-round pick for whom they have such affinity.
